Methacrylic materials suitable for ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological devices

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, methacrylic device materials. The materials contain an ethoxylate monomer to reduce glistenings and a long-chain alkyl methacrylate monomer for softening.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/976,956 filed Oct. 2, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to improved ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials. In particular, this invention relates to soft, high refractive index methacrylic device materials that have improved glistening resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the recent advances in small-incision cataract surgery, increased emphasis has been placed on developing soft, foldable materials suitable for use in artificial lenses. In general, these materials fall into one of three categories: hydrogels, silicones, and acrylics.

In general, hydrogel materials have a relatively low refractive index, making them less desirable than other materials because of the thicker lens optic necessary to achieve a given refractive power. Conventional silicone materials generally have a higher refractive index than hydrogels, but tend to unfold explosively after being placed in the eye in a folded position. Explosive unfolding can potentially damage the corneal endothelium and/or rupture the natural lens capsule. Acrylic materials are desirable because they typically have a high refractive index and unfold more slowly or controllably than conventional silicone materials.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,892 discloses high refractive index, acrylic materials suitable for use as an intraocular lens (“IOL”) material. These acrylic materials contain, as principal components, two aryl acrylic monomers. The IOLs made of these acrylic materials can be rolled or folded for insertion through small incisions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,073 also discloses soft acrylic IOL materials. These materials contain as principal components, two acrylic monomers which are defined by the properties of their respective homopolymers. The first monomer is defined as one in which its homopolymer has a refractive index of at least about 1.50. The second monomer is defined as one in which its homopolymer has a glass transition temperature less than about 22° C. These IOL materials also contain a cross-linking component. Additionally, these materials may optionally contain a fourth constituent, different from the first three constituents, which is derived from a hydrophilic monomer. These materials preferably have a total of less than about 15% by weight of a hydrophilic component.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,095 discloses foldable, high refractive index ophthalmic lens materials containing at least about 90 wt. % of only two principal components: one aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer and one hydrophilic monomer. The aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer has the formula

wherein:

-   -   X is H or CH₃;     -   m is 0-6;     -   Y is nothing, O, S, or NR, wherein R is H, CH₃, C_(n)H_(2n+1)         (n=1-10), iso-OC₃H₇, C₆H₅, or CH₂C₆H₅; and     -   Ar is any aromatic ring which can be unsubstituted or         substituted with CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, iso-C₃H₇, OCH₃, C₆H₁₁, Cl,         Br, C₆H₅, or CH₂C₆H₅.         The lens materials described in the '095 patent preferably have         a glass-transition temperature (“T_(g)”) between about −20 and         +25° C.

Flexible intraocular lenses may be folded and inserted through a small incision. In general, a softer material may be deformed to a greater extent so that it can be inserted through an increasingly smaller incision. Soft acrylic or methacrylic materials typically do not have an appropriate combination of strength, flexibility and non-tacky surface properties to permit IOLs to be inserted through an incision as small as that required for silicone IOLs.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) dimethacrylates are known to improve glistening resistance of hydrophobic acrylic formulations. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,693,095; 6,528,602; 6,653,422; and 6,353,069. Both the concentration and molecular weight of PEG dimethacrylates have an impact on glistening performance. Generally, use of higher molecular weight PEG dimethacrylates (1000 MW) yield copolymers with improved glistening performance at low PEG concentrations (10-15 wt %), as compared to lower molecular weight PEG dimethacrylates (<1000 MW). However, low PEG dimethacrylate concentrations are desirable to maintain a high refractive index copolymer. Addition of PEG dimethacrylates also tends to decrease the modulus and tensile strength of the resulting copolymer. Also, higher molecular weight PEG dimethacrylates are generally not miscible with hydrophobic acrylic monomers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Improved soft, foldable methacrylic device materials which are particularly suited for use as IOLs, but which are also useful as other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal rings or inlays, otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants, have been discovered. These polymeric materials consist essentially of methacrylic monomers. The methacrylic monomers comprise a methacrylic alkyl ethoxylate or methacrylic alkylphenol ethoxylate and a flexible, long-chain alkyl methacrylate monomer.

Among other factors, the present invention is based on the finding that use of an alkyl or alkylphenol ethoxylate and a long-chain alkyl methacrylate monomer in methacrylic intraocular lens formulations allow synthesis of glistening resistant, low equilibrium water content, high refractive index, foldable IOLs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless indicated otherwise, all component amounts are presented on a % (w/w) basis (“wt. %”).

The device materials of the present invention are copolymers comprising a) a monofunctional methacrylate monomer [1], b) a difunctional methacrylate cross-linker [2], c) a methacrylate functionalized alkyl ethoxylate [3a] or a methacrylate functionalized alkylphenol ethoxylate [3b], and d) a long-chain alkyl methacrylate monomer [4]. The device materials may contain more than one monomer [1], more than one monomer [2], more than one monomer [3], and more than one monomer [4]. Unless indicated otherwise, references to each ingredient are intended to encompass multiple monomers of the same formula and references to amounts are intended to refer to the total amount of all monomers of each formula.

wherein

-   -   B=O(CH₂)_(n), NH(CH₂)_(n), or NCH₃(CH₂)_(n);     -   R¹=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, or CH₂OH;     -   n=0-12;     -   A=C₆H₅ or O(CH₂)_(m)C₆H₅, where the C₆H₅ group is optionally         substituted with —(CH₂)_(n)H, —O(CH₂)_(n)H, —CH(CH₃)₂, —C₆H₅,         —OC₆H₅, —CH₂C₆H₅, F, Cl, Br, or I; and     -   m=0-22;

wherein

-   -   R², R³ independently=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, or CH₂OH;     -   W, W′ independently=O(CH₂)_(d), NH(CH₂)_(d), NCH₃(CH₂)_(d),         O(CH₂)_(d)C₆H₄, O(CH₂CH₂O)_(d)CH₂, O(CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(d)CH₂,         O(CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(d)CH₂, or nothing;     -   J=(CH₂)_(a), O(CH₂CH₂O)_(b), O, or nothing, provided that if W         and W′=nothing, then J≠nothing;     -   d=0-12;     -   a=1-12;     -   b=1-24;

wherein:

-   -   n=12, 13, or 14;     -   e=1-100;

-   -   R⁴=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂OH; and     -   R⁵=CH₂CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)═CH₂ or

wherein:

-   -   T=C₈H₁₇ or C₉H₁₉;     -   f=1-100;

-   -   R⁶=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂OH; and     -   R⁷=CH₂CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)═CH₂ or

and

wherein:

-   -   G=C_(p)H_(2p+1);     -   R₈=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, or CH₂OH; and     -   p=5-22.         Preferred monomers of formula [1] are those wherein:     -   B=O(CH₂)_(n);     -   R¹=H or CH₃;     -   n=1-4; and     -   A=C₆H₅.         Preferred monomers of formula [2] are those wherein:     -   R², R³ independently=H or CH₃;     -   W, W′ independently=O(CH₂)_(d), O(CH₂)_(d)C₆H₄, or nothing;     -   J=O(CH₂CH₂O)_(b) or nothing, provided that if W and W′=nothing,         then J≠0 nothing;     -   d=0-6; and     -   b=1-10.         Preferred monomers of formula [3a] are those wherein:     -   e=8-50;

-   -   R⁴=CH₃.         Most preferred monomers of formula [3a] are those wherein     -   n=13;     -   e=15-40;

-   -   R⁴=CH₃.         Representative monomers of formula [3a] include:

Preferred monomers of formula [3b] are those wherein:

-   -   f=8-50;

-   -   R⁶=CH₃.         Most preferred monomers of formula [3b] are those wherein     -   T=2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl alkyl or 3-ethyl-4-methylhexan-2-yl         alkyl;     -   f=15-40;

-   -   R⁶=CH₃.         Representative monomers of formula [3b] include:

Preferred monomers of formula [4] are those wherein:

-   -   G=(CH₂)_(p)CH₃;     -   R₈=CH₃; and     -   p=5-21.         Most preferred monomers of formula [4] are those wherein:     -   G=(CH₂)_(p)CH₃;     -   R₈=CH₃; and     -   p=8-18.

Monomers of formula [1] are known and can be made by known methods. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,331,073 and 5,290,892. Many monomers of formula [1] are commercially available from a variety of sources. Preferred monomers of formula [1] include benzyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; 3-phenylpropyl methacrylate; 4-phenylbutyl methacrylate; 5-phenylpentyl methacrylate; 2-phenoxyethyl methacrylate; 2-(2-phenoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate; 2-benzyloxyethyl methacrylate; 2-(2-(benzyloxy)ethoxy)ethyl methacrylate; and 3-benzyloxypropyl methacrylate.

Monomers of formula [2] are known and can be made by known methods, and are commercially available. Preferred monomers of formula [2] include ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (“EGDMA”); diethylene glycol dimethacrylate; triethylene glycol dimethacrylate; 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate; 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate; and 1,4-benzenedimethanol dimethacrylate. Most preferred is 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate.

Monomers of formulas [3a] and [3b] can be made by known methods. For example, such monomers may be made by esterification reactions involving, for example, the alkylphenol ethoxylate alcohol or alkyl ethoxylate alcohol and suitable carboxylic acids, acyl halides, or carboxylic acid anhydrides. For example, the alkylphenol ethoxylate or alkyl ethoxylate can be heated with a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid alkyl ester in the presence of a catalyst to form the desired ester, with water or low boiling alcohol as a byproduct which can be removed to drive the reaction to completion. The alkylphenol ethoxylate or alkyl ethoxylate can also be treated with an acyl halide in the presence of a base such as triethylamine which serves as a hydrohalide acceptor. The alkylphenol ethoxylate or alkyl ethoxylate can also be treated with a carboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or pyridine which catalyzes the reaction and neutralizes the acid formed.

Monomers of formula [4] can be made by known methods and are commercially available. Preferred monomers of formula [4] include n-hexyl methacrylate, n-heptyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, nonyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, undecyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, tridecyl methacrylate, cetyl methacrylate, and stearyl methacrylate. Most preferred monomers of formula [4] include octyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, and lauryl methacrylate.

The copolymeric materials of the present invention contain a total amount of monomer [1] from 65 to 90%, preferably from 70 to 85%, and most preferably from 75-85%. The difunctional cross-linker [2] concentration is generally present in an amount from 0.5-3%, and preferably 1-2%.

The materials of the present invention have at least one monomer from the group consisting of [3a] and [3b] (collectively referred to as monomer [3]). The total amount of monomer [3] depends on the desired physical properties for the device materials. The copolymeric materials of the present invention contain a total of at least 1% and can contain as much as 15% of monomer [3]. Preferably, the copolymeric device materials will contain from 1 to 10% of monomer [3].

The materials of the present invention also contain monomer [4] in an amount from 5 to 20%, preferably from 10 to 20%. Monomer [4] provides the ability to soften the material and maintain a low water content. Alkyl ethoxylate [3a] or alkylphenol ethoxylate [3b] also have the ability to soften the material, but the amount of these compounds necessary to soften the material gives rise to increased equilibrium water content values. By softening it is understood that a decrease in Young's Modulus is observed. The combination of [3a] or [3b] and [4] result in glistening free materials with equilibrium water contents below 2% for use in IOLs with suitable mechanical properties for injection through sub-2 mm openings.

The copolymeric device material of the present invention optionally contains one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of a polymerizable UV absorber and a polymerizable colorant. Although the optional UV absorber and colorant are not required to be methacrylic because they are present in relatively small amounts, they nevertheless preferably contain polymerizable methacrylate groups. Preferably, the device material of the present invention contains no other ingredients besides the methacrylic monomers of formulas [1]-[4] and polymerizable UV absorbers and colorants.

The device material of the present invention optionally contains reactive UV absorbers or reactive colorants. Many reactive UV absorbers are known. A preferred reactive UV absorber is 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-methallyl-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, commercially available as o-Methallyl Tinuvin P (“oMTP”) from Polysciences, Inc., Warrington, Pa. UV absorbers are typically present in an amount from about 0.1-5%. Suitable reactive blue-light absorbing compounds include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,932. Blue-light absorbers are typically present in an amount from about 0.01-0.5%. When used to make IOLs, the device materials of the present invention preferably contain both a reactive UV absorber and a reactive colorant.

In order to form the device material of the present invention, the chosen ingredients [1]-[4], along with any optional ingredients, are combined and polymerized using a radical initiator to initiate polymerization by the action of either heat or radiation. The device material is preferably polymerized in de-gassed polypropylene molds under nitrogen or in glass molds.

Suitable polymerization initiators include thermal initiators and photoinitiators. Preferred thermal initiators include peroxy free-radical initiators, such as t-butyl(peroxy-2-ethyl)hexanoate and di-(tert-butylcyclohexyl)peroxydicarbonate (commercially available as Perkadox® 16 from Akzo Chemicals Inc., Chicago, Ill.). Particularly in cases where the materials of the present invention do not contain a blue-light absorbing chromophore, preferred photoinitiators include benzoylphosphine oxide initiators, such as 2,4,6-trimethyl-benzoyldiphenyl-phosphine oxide, commercially available as Lucirin® TPO from BASF Corporation (Charlotte, N.C.). Initiators are typically present in an amount equal to about 5% or less of the total formulation weight, and more preferably less than 2% of the total formulation. As is customary for purposes of calculating component amounts, the initiator weight is not included in the formulation weight % calculation.

The particular combination of the ingredients described above and the identity and amount of any additional components are determined by the desired properties of the finished device material. In a preferred embodiment, the device materials of the present invention are used to make IOLs having an optic diameter of 5.5 or 6 mm that are designed to be compressed or stretched and inserted through surgical incision sizes of 2 mm or less. For example, the monomer [3] and monomer [4] are combined with at least one mono-functional acrylate or methacrylate monomer [1] and a multifunctional acrylate or methacrylate cross-linker [2] and copolymerized using a radical initiator in a suitable lens mold.

The device material preferably has a refractive index in the dry state of at least about 1.50, and more preferably at least about 1.53, as measured by an Abbe' refractometer at 589 nm (Na light source) and 25° C. Optics made from materials having a refractive index lower than 1.50 are necessarily thicker than optics of the same power which are made from materials having a higher refractive index. As such, IOL optics made from materials with comparable mechanical properties and a refractive index lower than about 1.50 generally require relatively larger incisions for IOL implantation.

The proportions of the monomers to be included in the copolymers of the present invention should be chosen so that the copolymer has a glass transition temperature (T_(g)) not greater than about 37° C., which is normal human body temperature. Copolymers having glass transition temperatures higher than 37° C. are not suitable for use in foldable IOLs; such lenses could only be rolled or folded at temperatures above 37° C. and would not unroll or unfold at normal body temperature. It is preferred to use copolymers having a glass transition temperature somewhat below normal body temperature and no greater than normal room temperature, e.g., about 20-25° C., in order that IOLs made of such copolymers can be rolled or folded conveniently at room temperature. T_(g) is measured by differential scanning calorimetry at 10° C./min., and is determined at the midpoint of the transition of the heat flux curve.

For IOLs and other applications, the materials of the present invention must exhibit sufficient strength to allow devices made of them to be folded or manipulated without fracturing. Thus the copolymers of the present invention will have an elongation of at least 80%, preferably at least 100%, and most preferably between 110 and 200%. This property indicates that lenses made of such materials generally will not crack, tear or split when folded. Elongation of polymer samples is determined on dumbbell shaped tension test specimens with a 20 mm total length, length in the grip area of 4.88 mm, overall width of 2.49 mm, 0.833 mm width of the narrow section, a fillet radius of 8.83 mm, and a thickness of 0.9 mm. Testing is performed on samples at ambient conditions using an Instron Material Tester (Model No. 4442 or equivalent) with a 50 Newton load cell. The grip distance is set at 14 mm and a crosshead speed is set at 500 mm/minute and the sample is pulled until failure. The elongation (strain) is reported as a fraction of the displacement at failure to the original grip distance. Since the materials to be tested are essentially soft elastomers, loading them into the Instron machine tends to make them buckle. To remove the slack in the material sample a pre-load is placed upon the sample. This helps to reduce the slack and provide a more consistent reading. Once the sample is pre-loaded to a desired value (typically 0.03 to 0.05 N) the strain is set to zero and the test begun. The modulus is calculated as the instantaneous slope of the stress-strain curve at 0% strain (“Young's modulus”), 25% strain (“25% modulus”) and 100% strain (“100% modulus).

IOLs made of the ophthalmic device materials of the present invention are more resistant to glistenings than other materials. Glistenings are measured according to the following test. The presence of glistenings is measured by placement of a lens or disk sample into a vial or sealed glass chamber and adding deionized water or a balanced salt solution. The vial or glass chamber is then placed into a water bath preheated to 45° C. Samples are to be maintained in the bath for a minimum of 16 hours and preferably 24±2 hours. The vial or glass chamber is then cooled to ambient temperature for a minimum of 60 minutes and preferably 90±30 minutes. The sample is inspected visually in various on angle or off angle lighting to evaluate clarity. Visualization of glistenings is carried out at ambient temperature with a light microscope using a magnification of 50 to 200×. A sample is judged to have many glistenings if, at 50-200× magnification, there are approximately 50 to 100% as many glistenings as observed in control samples based on 65 weight % PEA, 30 weight % PEMA, 3.2 weight % BDDA, and 1.8 weight % OMTP. Similarly, a sample is judged to have few glistenings if there are approximately 10% or more glistenings relative to the quantity observed in control samples. A sample is judged to have very few glistenings if there are approximately 1% or more glistenings relative to a control sample. A sample is judged to be free of glistenings if the number of glistenings detected in the eyepiece is zero. A sample is judged to be substantially free of glistenings if, at 50-200× magnification, the number of glistenings detected in the eyepiece is less than about 2/mm³. It is often very difficult to detect glistenings, especially at surfaces and edges where more defects and debris have formed, so the sample is rastered throughout the entire volume of the lens, varying the magnification levels (50-200×), the aperture iris diaphragm, and the field conditions (using both bright field and dark field conditions) in an attempt to detect the presence of glistenings.

The copolymers of the present invention preferably have an equilibrium water content (EWC) of 0.5 to 3 weight %. EWC is measured by placing one rectangular 0.9×10×20 mm slab in a 20 ml scintillation vial filled with deionized water and subsequently heating in a 35° C. water bath for a minimum of 20 hours and preferably 48±8 hours. The slab is blotted dry with lens paper and the % water content is calculated as follows:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{water}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{{wet}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{weight}} - {{dry}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{weight}}} \right)}{{wet}\mspace{14mu}{weight}} \times 100}$

IOLs constructed of the device materials of the present invention can be of any design capable of being stretched or compressed into a small cross section that can fit through a 2-mm incision. For example, the IOLs can be of what is known as a one-piece or multi-piece design, and comprise optic and haptic components. The optic is that portion which serves as the lens and the haptics are attached to the optic and are like arms that hold the optic in its proper place in the eye. The optic and haptic(s) can be of the same or different material. A multi-piece lens is so called because the optic and the haptic(s) are made separately and then the haptics are attached to the optic. In a single piece lens, the optic and the haptics are formed out of one piece of material. Depending on the material, the haptics are then cut, or lathed, out of the material to produce the IOL.

In addition to IOLs, the materials of the present invention are also suitable for use as other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings, otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting.

The following abbreviations are used throughout the Examples and have the following meanings.

PPrMA 3-phenylpropyl methacrylate EGDMA ethylene glycol dimethacrylate DEGDMA diethylene glycol dimethacrylate TEGDMA triethylene glycol dimethacrylate DDDMA 1,10-decanediol dimethacrylate SMA stearyl methacrylate SMA/tech stearyl methacrylate (technical grade, comprised of 65 wt. % stearyl methacrylate and 35 wt. % cetyl methacrylate) POEMA ethylene glycol phenoxy methacrylate PEMA 2-phenylethyl methacrylate BzMA Benzyl methacrylate PDMS-MA methacryloxypropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (M.W. = 1000, viscosity = 12-18 cSt.) LaurMA lauryl methacrylate TDMA tridecyl methacrylate PolyPEG4100 polyPEG macromonomer (Mn = 4100) PolyPEG8500 polyPEG macromonomer (Mn = 8500) PEGMA2000 polyethylene glycol 2000 monomethacrylate PEGMA3000 polyethylene glycol 3000 monomethacrylate n-DecMA N-decyl methacrylate AIBN azobisisobutyronitrile Terg15S30-MA Reacted adduct of Tergitol ™ 15-S-30 alkyl ethoxylate and methacrylic anhydride Terg15S15-MA Reacted adduct of Tergitol ™ 15-S-15 alkyl ethoxylate and methacrylic anhydride

Example 1

Terg15S30-MA. 50.1 g (34.0 mmol based on OH#=38.0 mg KOH/g) of Tergitol 15-S-30 surfactant (Dow/Union Carbide), 15.7 g (102 mmol) methacrylic anhydride (Aldrich, 94%), and 20 mg MEHQ (Sigma-Aldrich) were dissolved in 120 g anhydrous pyridine (Burdick & Jackson) in a 500 ml round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirrer and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 50° C. for 20 hours, poured into 3000 ml diethyl ether, and subsequently cooled to −20° C. The solvent was decanted and the solid was recovered by centrifugation. The solid was redissolved in ether and the product was recovered as previously described to give 43.8 g (80%) of a white waxy solid.

Example 2

Terg15S15-MA. 90.3 g (104 mmol based on OH#=64.4 mg KOH/g) of Tergitol 15-S-15 surfactant (Dow/Union Carbide), 17.8 g (116 mmol) methacrylic anhydride (Alfa Aesar, 94%), and 50 mg MEHQ (Sigma-Aldrich) were dissolved in anhydrous 1,4-dioxane (60 ml) and anhydrous pyridine (30 ml) (Burdick & Jackson) in a 500 ml round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirrer and nitrogen inlet. The reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. for 20 hours, filtered, and isolated by cold precipitation into 3000 ml diethyl ether 3 times. The product was recovered as 65 g (67%) of a white waxy solid which liquefied upon warming to ambient temperature (˜23° C.).

Example 3 Lens Materials

The reaction components listed in Tables 1-11, except for AIBN, were mixed together with stirring or shaking for at least 30 minutes at 23° C., until all components were dissolved. The AIBN was subsequently added and the reaction mixture was stirred for a minimum of 5 minutes, until the initiator was dissolved. The reactive components are reported in weight percent.

The reactive components were purged for approximately 15 minutes using N₂ and placed inside a low humidity N₂ purged glove box.

The reactive components were syringed or pipetted onto clean polypropylene mold halves containing 1×10×20 mm rectangular wells and covered with the complementary flat polypropylene mold halves. The mold halves were compressed using binder clips and the mixtures were heat ramped from ambient temperature to 70° C. in 15 minutes, and then cured at 70° C. for 1 hour and 110° C. for 2 hours using a Yamato DKN400 constant temperature oven. The molds were allowed to cool to room temperature. The top mold halves were removed and the rectangular polymer slabs were removed from the wells with tweezers and placed individually in 38×8 mm Histo Plas tissue processing capsules (Bio Plas Inc., San Rafael, Calif.). The slabs were extracted in acetone for a minimum of 8 hours and then air dried at ambient temperature for 20 hours, followed by high vacuum (˜0.1 mm Hg) at ambient temperature for 20 hours, and high vacuum at 70° C. for 20 hours.

TABLE 1 Example % (w/w) Component 3A 3B 3C 3D Ex 1 10.0 15.0 0 0 Ex 2 0 0 18.3 16.4 PPrMA 88.8 83.8 79.7 81.0 EGDMA 1.2 1.2 0 0 DDDMA 0 0 1.9 2.7 AIBN 0.50 0.50 0.48 0.48

TABLE 2 Example % (w/w) Component 3E 3F 3G Ex 1 5.0 7.5 10.1 PPrMA 83.9 83.9 83.8 n-DecMA 10.0 7.5 5.1 DDDMA 1.1 1.1 0.98 AIBN 0.50 0.50 0.50

TABLE 3 Example % (w/w) Component 3H 3I 3J 3K 3L Ex 1 5.1 5.0 5.1 5.0 5.1 PPrMA 84.0 83.4 83.9 83.1 81.9 SMA/tech 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.9 10.1 EGDMA 0.99 1.6 0 0 0 DDDMA 0 0 1.0 2.0 2.9 AIBN 0.55 0.55 0.54 0.52 0.52

TABLE 4 Example % (w/w) Component 3M 3N 3O 3P 3Q 3R Ex 1 4.9 5.0 5.0 13.6 4.9 3.0 BzMA 0 0 0 0 0 75.2 PEMA 0 0 0 72.8 79.9 0 POEMA 84.0 82.9 82.1 0 0 0 SMA/tech 10.0 10.0 9.9 12.7 14.1 20.9 EGDMA 0 0 0 0 1.1 0 DDDMA 1.1 2.0 3.0 0.91 0 0.91 AIBN 0.56 0.51 0.51 0.48 0.58 0.55

TABLE 5 Example % (w/w) Component  3S  3T  3U  3V  3W  3X  3Y Ex 1  5.0  5.0  4.9  4.9  5.0  5.0  5.1 PPrMA 78.8 74.0 79.1 74.0 83.9 83.0 81.9 SMA/tech 14.0 18.9 13.8 18.8  0  0  0 n-DecMA  0  0  0  0  8.9 10.0 10.5 DDDMA  1.2  1.0  0  0  1.0  0.99  1.5 DEGDMA  0  0  1.2  1.2  0  0  0 PDMS-MA  1.1  1.0  0.99  1.1  1.1  1.1  1.1 AIBN  0.51  0.51  0.54  0.57  0.50  0.48  0.52

TABLE 6 Example % (w/w) Component 3Z 3AA 3BB 3CC 3DD 3EE Ex 1 5.0 4.9 5.1 5.0 4.9 5.1 PPrMA 79.9 79.9 79.8 80.1 80.0 80.1 n-DecMA 13.6 13.1 0 0 0 0 LaurMA 0 0 13.5 12.9 0 0 SMA/tech 0 0 0 0 13.5 12.9 DDDMA 1.5 2.0 1.6 1.9 1.5 2.0 AIBN 0.57 0.55 0.52 0.54 0.51 0.47

TABLE 7 Example % (w/w) Component 3FF 3GG 3HH 3II 3JJ 3KK Ex 1 5.0 5.1 5.0 5.0 4.9 5.0 PPrMA 81.1 80.9 81.0 83.4 80.5 82.9 n-DecMA 12.5 0 0 0 0 0 LaurMA 0 12.6 0 0 0 0 SMA/tech 0 0 12.5 10.1 13.0 10.0 DEGDMA 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 0 0 TEGDMA 0 0 0 1.6 1.6 2.0 AIBN 0.51 0.53 0.54 0.48 0.45 0.46

TABLE 8 Example % (w/w) Component 3LL 3MM 3NN 3OO Ex 1 5.0 0 0 2.0 PPrMA 79.7 79.9 83.0 82.0 SMA 13.1 18.1 15.1 0 SMA/tech 0 0 0 14.0 TEGDMA 2.1 2.0 1.9 2.0 AIBN 0.44 0.50 0.45 0.47

TABLE 9 Example % (w/w) Component 3PP 3QQ 3RR Ex 1 5.0 0 0 PolyPEG4100 0 0 0 PolyPEG8500 0 0 0 PEGMA2000 0 0 5.0 PEGMA3000 0 5.0 0 PPrMA 79.8 79.9 79.7 SMA/tech 12.6 12.5 12.6 TEGDMA 2.6 2.6 2.6 AIBN 0.50 0.50 0.50 Reaction clear insoluble insoluble mixture appearance Post clear — — polymerization appearance Post clear — — equilibration in water appearance

TABLE 10 Example % (w/w) Component 3SS 3TT 3UU 3VV 3WW 3XX Ex 1 4.1 4.1 4.0 4.5 4.4 4.5 PPrMA 80.1 79.9 79.7 80.0 81.2 81.6 n-DecMA 0 0 0 0 12.9 12.0 SMA/tech 14.9 14.6 14.4 12.6 0 0 EGDMA 0.95 1.4 1.9 0 1.5 2.0 TEGDMA 0 0 0 2.9 0 0 AIBN 0.50 0.48 0.50 0.49 0.52 0.50

TABLE 11 Example % (w/w) Component 3YY 3ZZ 3AAA Ex 1 4.9 5.1 5.0 PPrMA 83.7 80.0 82.0 n-DecMA 10.2 13.5 0 LaurMA 0 0 11.5 DDDMA 1.1 1.5 0 DEGDMA 0 0 1.49 AIBN 0.49 0.49 0.49 The % extractables were calculated as follows:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{extractables}} = {\frac{\left( {{{non}\text{-}{extracted}\mspace{14mu}{weight}} - {{extracted}\mspace{14mu}{weight}}} \right)}{{non}\text{-}{extracted}\mspace{14mu}{weight}} \times 100}$ The equilibrium water content (EWC) was measured by placing a slab in 20 ml deionized water in a scintillation vial and heating in a 35° C. water bath for a minimum of 20 hours. The slab was blotted dry with lens paper and the % water content was calculated as follows:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{water}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{{wet}\mspace{14mu}{weight}} - {{dry}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{weight}}} \right)}{{wet}\mspace{14mu}{weight}} \times 100}$ Refractive index values of the hydrated samples were measured using a Bausch & Lomb refractometer (catalog #33.46.10) at 35° C.

The presence of glistenings was evaluated by equilibration of samples in deionized water at 45° C. followed by cooling to 23° C. and then visual inspection using a light microscope. In brief, samples were placed in 20 ml scintillation vials containing deionized water and heated at 45° C. for a minimum of 20 hours. The entire cross section (˜200 mm²) of each sample was examined for glistening formation approximately 1 to 2 hours after cooling to ambient temperature using an Olympus BX60 microscope capable of 50× to 200× magnification. The samples were also visually inspected for haze after the ΔT test. Materials reported as having 0 to <10 glistenings per mm² in Table 12 were clear after polymerization and after the ΔT test.

The results of Examples 3A through 3AAA show that the reaction mixture components and their amounts may be varied. All materials containing the functionalized alkyl ethoxylate were clear and showed low haze.

The refractive index (R.I.), % extractables, equilibrium water content (EWC), and glistening results are shown in Table 12. Refractive index values were typically greater than 1.53 and % extractables were between 1 and 3 weight %. Equilibrium water contents varied between approximately 0.5 and 4.0 weight % and were typically higher in samples containing greater amounts of the functionalized alkyl ethoxylate. Samples 3C and 3D were the only exceptions since the functionalized alkyl ethoxylate was comprised of a lower molecular weight and lower PEG content. As shown in Table 12, samples 3A and 3B which contained 10-15 wt. % of the alkyl ethoxylate from Example 1 showed higher water contents than samples 3C and 3D which contained 15-20 wt. % of the alkyl ethoxylate from Example 2. The starting alkyl ethoxylate alcohol from Example 1 was based on a number average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 1500 and a PEG content of 85 weight %, whereas the alkyl ethoxylate alcohol from Example 2 was comprised of a Mn value of 900 and PEG content of 75 weight %.

Most formulations in the present invention were made using 5 weight % of the functionalized alkyl ethoxylate from Example 1 and resulted in water contents between 1 to 1.5% and no glistenings under the conditions studied. In samples 3SS, 3TT, 3UU and 3VV, water contents were kept below 1% by the incorporation of less than 5 weight % of the functionalized alkyl ethoxylate, resulting in glistening-free materials. Control samples 3MM and 3NN which contained no alkyl ethoxylate resulted in clear materials after polymerization, but turned slightly hazy after the ΔT test in water and gave a high concentration of glistenings scattered throughout the bulk of the samples.

The use of methacrylate terminated polyethylene glycols, PEGMA2000 and PEGMA3000 as shown in samples 3QQ and 3RR (Table 9), resulted in insoluble reaction mixtures even after vigorous stirring and shaking.

TABLE 12 Glistenings per Ex. # R.I. % Extractables EWC 10 mm² slab 3A 1.539 2.6 2.5 0 3B 1.529 3.2 4.0 0 3C 1.533 2.5 1.5 0 3D 1.534 2.2 1.4 <10 3E 1.538 2.0 1.3 0 3F 1.534 2.4 2.1 0 3G 1.533 2.7 2.7 0 3H 1.536 1.7 1.1 0 3I 1.537 1.8 0.8 0 3J 1.534 1.9 — 0 3K 1.535 1.9 1.1 0 3L 1.535 1.9 1.1 0 3S 1.530 2.0 1.0 0 3T 1.524 2.1 1.5 0 3U 1.530 1.8 1.3 0 3V 1.526 1.9 1.4 0 3W 1.535 2.3 1.2 0 3X 1.529 2.3 1.1 0 3Y 1.537 2.3 1.0 0 3Z 1.535 1.9 1.4 0 3AA 1.532 2.0 1.3 0 3BB 1.535 1.7 1.4 0 3CC 1.533 1.7 1.5 0 3DD 1.531 1.8 1.5 0 3EE 1.532 1.8 1.2 0 3FF 1.532 1.8 1.5 0 3GG 1.533 1.7 1.6 0 3HH 1.533 1.9 1.4 0 3II 1.534 1.7 1.1 0 3JJ 1.531 1.8 1.2 0 3KK 1.534 1.6 1.1 0 3LL 1.531 1.7 1.4 0 3MM 1.533 0.9 0.3 Many (hazy) 3NN 1.536 1.0 0.4 Many (hazy) 3OO 1.534 1.3 0.5 0 3PP 1.532 1.6 1.0 0 3SS 1.534 1.4 0.9 0 3TT 1.533 1.5 0.8 0 3UU 1.533 1.6 0.8 0 3VV 1.535 1.8 0.6 0 3WW — 1.6 — — 3XX — 1.5 — — 3YY 1.534 2.0 1.4 0 3ZZ 1.531 2.0 1.5 0 3AAA 1.535 1.8 1.6 0

The materials from Examples 3A through 3X were analyzed to determine their tensile properties. The results are shown in Table 13, below. Samples 3M through 3R (Table 4), containing POEMA, BzMA, or PEMA as the high refractive index monomer, could not be tested using the 50 N load cell due to their stiff and brittle properties. 3-Phenylpropyl methacrylate was chosen as the high refractive index monomer since concentrations of 80 weight % or greater could be used to give lens materials with suitable mechanical properties for lens injection through sub 3 mm openings.

TABLE 13 100% Stress at Young's 25% Secant Secant Break Strain at Modulus Modulus Modulus Ex. # (MPa) Break (%) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) 3A 8.3 115 90 20.7 7.3 3B 6.8 139 47 9.6 4.3 3C 5.7 154 24 4.8 2.5 3D 6.6 129 36 7.4 4.2 3E 7.0 175 66 16.9 4.5 3F 6.7 189 61 12.9 3.8 3G 6.6 209 51 10.1 3.1 3H 7.2 148 67 14.4 4.8 3I 8.1 112 69 16.5 7.1 3J 6.8 205 55 11.0 3.3 3K 7.4 143 60 13.7 5.0 3L 7.8 110 68 16.0 7.0 3S 5.7 186 30 5.7 2.3 3T 4.5 198 15 3.1 1.4 3U 5.9 196 34 6.8 2.4 3V 4.8 199 18 3.7 1.6 3W 7.5 182 87 15.4 4.6 3X 7.7 196 84 14.9 4.3 3Y 7.7 162 77.8 14.9 4.9 3Z 8.1 176 61 14.0 4.4 3AA 7.7 140 66 16.1 5.4 3BB 6.7 169 50 10.7 3.7 3CC 7.9 157 57 13.0 4.6 3DD 6.8 183 42 8.1 3.0 3EE 7.5 160 47 9.6 3.8 3FF 7.8 180 62 16.3 4.6 3GG 7.5 194 55 12.9 3.8 3HH 6.4 188 49 9.9 3.2 3II 7.3 188 60 12.8 3.9 3JJ 6.9 203 43 8.5 2.8 3KK 7.3 159 58 13.3 4.5 3LL 6.8 174 42 8.7 3.3 3MM 6.4 176 49 9.8 3.4 3NN 7.1 171 65 13.9 4.2 3OO 6.6 167 54 11.6 3.8 3PP 7.4 163 51 10.9 4.1 3SS 5.4 156 38 7.4 2.9 3TT 6.0 124 45 9.0 4.3 3UU 6.8 101 51 11.9 6.6 3VV 7.4 138 57 11.8 4.8 3WW 8.0 117 77 17.3 6.7 3XX 7.6 84 87 19.4 — 3YY 7.3 196 86 15.6 4.3 3ZZ 7.3 201 63 11.7 3.7 3AAA 7.1 199 72 13.5 3.9

This invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments; however, it should be understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms or variations thereof without departing from its special or essential characteristics. The embodiments described above are therefore considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. 

1. A methacrylic polymeric ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological device material made by polymerizing a mixture of monomers wherein the mixture comprises a) 65 to 90% (w/w) of a monofunctional methacrylate monomer of formula [1]:

wherein B=O(CH₂)_(n), NH(CH₂)_(n), or NCH₃(CH₂)_(n); R¹=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, or CH₂OH; n=0-12; A=C₆H₅ or O(CH₂)_(m)C₆H₅, where the C₆H₅ group is optionally substituted with —(CH₂)_(n)H, —O(CH₂)_(n)H, —CH(CH₃)₂, —C₆H₅, —OC₆H₅, —CH₂C₆H₅, F, Cl, Br, or I; and m=0-22; b) a difunctional methacrylate cross-linking monomer of formula [2]:

wherein R², R³ independently=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, or CH₂OH; W, W′ independently=O(CH₂)_(d), NH(CH₂)_(d), NCH₃(CH₂)_(d), O(CH₂)_(d)C₆H₄, O(CH₂CH₂O)_(d)CH₂, O(CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(d)CH₂, O(CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(d)CH₂, or nothing; J=(CH₂)_(a), O(CH₂CH₂O)_(b), O, or nothing, provided that if W and W′=nothing, then J≠nothing; d=0-12; a=1-12; and b=1-24; c) 1 to 15% (w/w) of an ethoxylate selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethoxylate monomers of formula [3a] and alkylphenol ethoxylate monomers of formula [3b]:

wherein: n=12, 13, or 14; e=1-100;

R⁴=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂OH; and R⁵=CH₂CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)═CH₂ or

wherein: T=C₈H₁₇ or C₉H₁₉; f=1-100;

R⁶=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂OH; and R⁷=CH₂CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)═CH₂ or

and d) 5 to 20% (w/w) of a methacrylate monomer of formula [4]

wherein: G=C_(p)H_(2p+1); R₈=CH₃, CH₂CH₃, or CH₂OH; and p=5-22.
 2. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein for the monomer of formula [1]: B=O(CH₂)_(n); R¹=CH₃; n=1-4; and A=C₆H₅.
 3. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein for the monomer of formula [2]: R², R³ independently=CH₃; W, W′ independently=O(CH₂)_(d), O(CH₂)_(d)C₆H₄, or nothing; J=O(CH₂CH₂O)_(b) or nothing, provided that if W and W′=nothing, then J≠nothing; d=0-6; and b=1-10.
 4. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein for the monomer of formula [3a]: n=12, 13, or 14; e=8-50;

R⁴=CH₃; and R⁵=CH₂CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)═CH₂ or


5. The polymeric device material of claim 4 wherein for the monomer of formula [3a]: n=13; e=15-40;

R⁴=CH₃.
 6. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein for the monomer of formula [3b]: T=C₈H₁₇ or C₉H₁₉; f=8-50;

R⁶=CH₃.
 7. The polymeric device material of claim 6 wherein for the monomer of formula [3b]: T=2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl or 3-ethyl-4-methylhexan-2-yl; f=15-40;

R⁶=CH₃.
 8. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein for the monomer of formula [4]: G=(CH₂)_(p)CH₃; R₈=CH₃; and p=5-21.
 9. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein the monomer of formula [1] is selected from the group consisting of benzyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; 3-phenylpropyl methacrylate; 4-phenylbutyl methacrylate; 5-phenylpentyl methacrylate; 2-phenoxyethyl methacrylate; 2-(2-phenoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate; 2-benzyloxyethyl methacrylate; 2-(2-(benzyloxy)ethoxy)ethyl methacrylate; and 3-benzyloxypropyl methacrylate.
 10. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein the monomer of formula [2] is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate; diethylene glycol dimethacrylate; triethylene glycol dimethacrylate; 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate; 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate; and 1,4-benzenedimethanol dimethacrylate.
 11. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein the amount of monomer [1] is 70 to 85% (w/w).
 12. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein the amount of monomer [2] is 0.5 to 3% (w/w).
 13. The polymeric device material of claim 1 wherein the polymeric device material comprises both a monomer of formula [3a] and a monomer of formula [3b] and wherein the total amount of monomer [3a] and [3b] is 1 to 10% (w/w).
 14. The polymeric device material of claim 13 wherein the total amount of monomer [4] is 10 to 20% (w/w).
 15. The polymeric device material of claim 1 further comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a polymerizable UV absorbers and a polymerizable colorants.
 16. The polymeric device material of claim 15 comprising both a polymerizable UV absorber and a polymerizable colorant wherein the polymeric device material comprises 0.1-5% (w/w) of a polymerizable UV absorber and 0.01-0.5% (w/w) of a polymerizable colorant.
 17. An ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological device comprising the device material of claim 1 wherein the ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological device is selected from the group consisting of intraocular lenses; contact lenses; keratoprostheses; corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes; and nasal implants.
 18. The ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological device of claim 17 wherein the ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological device is an intraocular lens. 